The BJP has expressed deep concern over the Dhoti-Sari-lungi scheme and appealed to the Election Commission to stop inauguration of the scheme in new areas. The saffron party in its complaint to the ECI team, which arrived here on a two-day visit to take stock of the preparedness for free and fair elections, has stated, “The State Government is about to inaugurate the Dhoti-Sari scheme in 2-4 days. The scheme has been named after grand father and mother of the Chief Minister. It is likely that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha would influence the voters by distributing clothes. On the one hand, it is a misuse of public money while on the other it is also a violation of the model code of conduct. It should be stopped immediately.”
The memorandum was submitted by the party to the team which comprised Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath and two Election Commissioners HS Bramha and Nasim Zaidi.
The party also expressed concern over the role played by the district administration of Dumka during lok Sabha polls and alleged it to be working in the favour of the JMM and its chief Shibu Soren. “It is not looking possible to conduct free and fair elections under the present DC and SP. They should be replaced with officials with clean image,” said the delegation. Chief Minister Hemant Soren is JMM’s candidate from Dumka Assembly constituency this time.
This apart, the party has also underlined the naxal violence and law and order situation in the State and put forth the killings of party workers having taken place at Khunti, Simdega, Gumla and other areas. The constituencies, where the first phase of polls will be taking place, are heavily Naxal-infested in nature.
The JMM delegation, on the other hand, wanted the commission to check the misuse of the media, demanded for timely disposal of applications seeking helicopters or vehicles for star campaigners. Also, the party fearing hyper role played by security personnel in bringing voters to the polling booths has demanded the Commission to issue a clear instruction in this regard. “We have also expressed our concern and appealed them to prevent the Central Ministers making promises and violations of model code of conduct done by them,” said Vinod Pandey, a core committee member of the JMM.
The Congress, in its meeting with the ECI, demanded to prevent JSCA president Amitabh Chaudhary from distributing free passes for the upcoming cricket match in Ranchi. It also lodged protest over BJP’s campaign exercise on which the EC assured the party to look into the complaints. “We also demanded relaxing norms for carrying cash during the elections as it is creating fear among businessmen. The Commissioner said that any common man can carry Rs 10 lakh with him and even a political worker can carry over Rs 50,000 with desired evidence,” said Kishore Shahdeo, party spokesperson.
The JVM has also demanded the ECI to keep a tight vigil on the paid news instances. “Articles favouring a particular party or candidate often get published in newspapers just before the poll day. It is a violation of the guidelines of the Press Council of India and also the model code of conduct. We had complained about this with EC last time too but no action was taken,” said Raj Nandan Sahay of the party’s law cell. It has also demanded equal time slots in newspapers, electronic media and fair allotment of hording among the parties.